Leadership is a wide concept that varies in terms of meaning and style of application. The concept of leadership is defined and used differently depending on the nature of the environment, goals, and purpose of a team, among others. Studies have established that these factors influence on the meaning of leadership and the way they apply in for various reasons.
According to experts, traits that make a leader effective for various positions vary depending on these factors. Various distinguishing features of an individual determine the kind of a leader one becomes and their preferred style. Individual traits make a leader be authoritative, democratic, imperialistic, or compassionate.
Reactivity
Reactivity is an individual trait associated with leadership. It refers to the ability of an individual to respond readily to emergencies. A reactive leader is someone who creates urgency among his or her followers by encouraging them to be quicker at identifying problems and finding solutions.
Reactive leaders often make decisions by themselves, believe in their solutions, have an authoritative tone, focus on getting results, love being in control, love to punish mistakes and use rules to make decisions. A reactive leader is self-centered. They often prioritize fulfilling their interests ahead of those collectively shared by a team.
It is important to note that several situations within a team or an organization require their independent approaches. This means that leaders should avoid applying a single style to solve all their challenges. Although most critics do not support a reactive style of leadership, it is important to ensure that people are fully engaged in important processes such as decision-making.
Flexibility
Flexibility is also a crucial leadership trait. Experts argue that an individual with the ability to adjust readily to different conditions makes a good leader. Flexibility allows a leader to deal with the collective interests of a team, as well as those of individual members. It also helps leaders to behave accordingly when confronted with unexpected and uncomfortable situations.
The ability to be flexible is highly influenced by the level of self-awareness by an individual. It is very hard for someone to control him or her self when they do not understand their character well. Experts argue that an effective leader is one who understands his or her leadership style well and makes an effort to ensure that it compliments the interests of their followers.
Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is another trait associated with good leadership. Studies have established that people tend to follow people that show great excitement and interest in whatever they do.
Leaders have the responsibility to ensure that they guide their followers effectively in fulfilling their goals. Experts argue that people who have a passion for something have a higher chance of being successful and effective because they always have an inner drive to make a positive impact.
Inspiration
Ability to inspire is an essential leadership trait. Leaders have a responsibility to empower their followers by encouraging them to follow their dreams, connecting them to people that can help them, as well as providing the right guidance.
Leaders should be people that others look up to for advice, encouragement, inspiration, and motivation as they work towards fulfilling their goals. It is important for leaders to ensure that their followers do not feel powerless or lesser human beings. Instead, they should make them feel like winners and people destined for success. Leadership plays a crucial role in ensuring the growth of every aspect of human development.
Confidence
A great and effective leader is confident. It entails the personal ability to believe in his or her abilities. Studies have established that people admire leaders that are sure of their abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.
Confidence is an important trait for any leader because it encourages their followers to give their best output towards achieving their goals. Psychologists argue that people are less likely to follow a leader who is less assured of what they are supposed to do. A confident leader does not fear to admit when they are wrong or do not know something. In leadership, it is important to avoid confusing confidence in a leader for arrogance.
Organization
A good leader is someone who is well organized. Ability to organize things accordingly is an important trait that helps leaders to focus on helping their followers in fulfilling their goals. A good leader should have his or her priorities organized according to their degree of urgency. People rely on leaders to guide them in developing short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals.
An organized leader can focus well on their work, especially in identifying and running several operations in their teams. Organized leaders are also very good at developing effective strategies for encouraging their followers to engage in various team processes such as decision-making.
The ability to organize depends on an individual’s integrity, self-awareness, passion, and ability to communicate effectively with everyone. Organized leaders should be well educated, open to change, collaborative, innovative, and self-driven.